It has been a busy December and tomorrow night we will be celebrating the birth of our Savior at a candlelight church service and then wake up the next morning to open gifts and spending family time together before heading to my sister-in-law's house for dinner. My parents are on Long Island for my sister's Christmas Eve party where the entire family gathers together just like old times ... except for me. I could have gone and I miss my family but I don't enjoy traveling on Christmas and I'd much rather surround myself with peace and quietness in the times we celebrate Jesus.
In this busy December my daughter spent two weekends playing an angel for our church's Living Nativity. The Living Nativity is so beautifully done each year with festive displays and different stations that show the life of Christ. She was at the last stop, the tomb. It was hard work but she loved it.
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Then last weekend her dance studio put on a show called Messiah: The Coming of The King. It was phenomenal. The dancing and acting was breathtaking and so well done. I wish everyone could have seen it. It started with Creation then the birth of Jesus all the way until the resurrection. Then ended with him ascending into Heaven. In the last few months we've struggled with understanding why things happened at the last studio that led us to this one. We were confused with knowing if this was the right decision. After watching the show it's pretty clear we did the right thing. This studio is much more advanced, talented and larger. The director is also a very devout Christian who wants to share her love for God with others. As a believer, I've taught my kids the importance of serving God and sharing the Gospel with others and it's so great our girl gets to do that through the art of dance.
She also found a group of girls who will pray with her. I'm in awe.
And would you believe, I do not have my Christmas shopping complete yet. Do you? I'm always a last minute shopper but I don't think it's ever been this bad. My kids no longer believe in Santa and the magic of Christmas doesn't seem to feel the same as it did when they were younger. Shopping for their gifts doesn't come as easy as it was when they played with toys. Now they ask for clothes and expensive things. Today I think of what I had purchased and the rest that needs bought. I'm trying not to stress. Christmas should not be a time of stress but of peace and gratefulness. It will all get done.
While my husband is at work and the kids are still sleeping and before all the chaos begins I wanted to take a moment to sit with a cup of coffee and write on the blog. I also wanted to take the time to tell you all, my friends, to have a MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope you get everything you want this year.
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If you’ve always been a last minute shopper, then you have the experience and skills to get it done. You can do this and you’re right. Don’t stress about it.
ReplyDeleteChristmas goes through many transitions in our lives - when the children leave home, when you become empty nesters, when they marry and have their own families with in-laws. Right now since mine are grown adults - and all but one works in medical industry, they aren’t automatically off on the holidays. So we’re having to move things around leaving us, alone on Christmas Eve which was our BIG event. It’s fine. They’re all coming over after work on the 25th.
Your daughter is beautiful, with the loving heart of Jesus. Our town for 30 years had a living nativity called Bethlehem AD. Huge cast with animals - Walking through a replica of Bethlehem in that time period was awesome.
Merry Christmas Dawn. 🎄